Programmably controlling video formats

ABSTRACT

A video controller may include at least one video input port which may be programmably configured to receive either RGB or non-RGB color space signals. The video controller may programmably operate in either an RGB or non-RGB mode. In this way, the number of color space conversions may be reduced in some embodiments. For example, where a television output device is coupled to the video controller, the video controller may provide a non-RGB output signal.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to controlling video formats, forexample in graphics accelerators or controllers that enable text and/orgraphics to be displayed on a display such as a television receiver, amonitor or a liquid crystal (LCD) display, as examples.

Conventional displays such as monitors and liquid crystal displays (LCD)used in connection with electronic devices such as computer systems,often use the RGB color space. In the RGB color space an image may beresolved into pixels having red, green and blue intensity values.

A video adapter may generate the video signal for a video display. Agraphics controller or accelerator may be part of the video adapter andmay allow access to a video adapter buffer, or video memory, that storesdata such as graphics or character data. Graphics controllers oraccelerators work in the RGB color space. When it is desired to work ina video format such as a color space other than RGB, the non-RBG videois converted to the RGB color space and then is provided to the graphicscontroller which thereafter produces an RGB output.

A variety of other color spaces are used. For example, the U.S.television broadcasting system generally uses the National TelevisionSystems. Committee (NTSC) standard which uses the YUV color space.British television broadcasting uses the phase alternate line or PALsystem which makes use of the YUV color space. French televisionbroadcasting uses the Sequential Coleur Avec Memoire (SECAM) systemwhich uses the YDrDb color space. The International ConsultativeCommittee On Broadcasting, known as ITU-R, has developed a digital colorsystem known as YCrCb or ITU-R-BT.601 or CCIR-601. High DefinitionTelevision (HDTV) uses the YCrCb color space as well, according to theAdvanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) Guide to the Use of theATSC Digital Standard, ATSC Doc. A/54, 4 Oct. 1995.

Thus, there are a number of different color spaces that may be utilizedwith television systems, which do not operate in the RGB color space.Generally, the conversion to the RGB color space may involve a simplemathematical operation such as simple multiplying and shifting. Knownequations are available to convert any of the PAL, NTSC, SECAM orITU-R-BT.601 color spaces to or from the RGB color space. Software isgenerally known for making these conversions as well.

Graphics controllers that receive non-RGB inputs may provide outputsignals to a device which does not use the RGB format. However, thegraphics controller may only work with RGB color space input signals.Therefore, a non-RGB input signal may be converted to the RGB format.Similarly, the output signal from the graphics controller may beconverted back to a non-RGB format in order to be displayed in a non-RGBformat, on a conventional television receiver, for example. In someinstances, the original input signal is initially converted from anon-RGB to RGB and then back to the non-RGB format.

Thus, there is a need for systems for controlling video formats thatoperate more flexibly with the variety of available color spaces andthat are more efficient in handling color space conversions.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a video controller may include avideo input port. A device programmably configures the port toselectively accept one of at least two video formats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a graphics controller of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a graphics controller in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing one flow for implementing an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computer system that may utilize anembodiment of the invention such as that shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A graphics device or video controller for controlling video, such as agraphics accelerator or controller 12, shown in FIG. 1, may mix or blendvideo input signals. In the illustrated embodiment, a non-RGB colorspace input signal is mixed with an RGB color space input signal in thegraphics controller 12. This mixing may be desirable, for example, tooverlay one video stream over another, such as graphics data over videocapture data, or to add backgrounds, textures or colors to a videostream, as another example.

Since conventional graphics controllers work in the RGB color space, thenon-RGB input signal is converted to RGB color space, as indicated inblock 10. If graphics are intended for an output device which uses anon-RGB format, such as a television receiver 16, the RGB output signalof the graphics controller 12 is again converted to a non-RGB format asindicated at 14.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention, given the same circumstances shown in FIG. 1, the conversionto or from an RGB or non-RGB format may be controlled based on the typeof output device 16. Thus, where the output device 16 is a televisionreceiver, it may be advantageous to work in the non-RGB format since theeventual output of the graphics controller 18 is intended to be in anon-RGB format. Instead of converting the non-RGB input, the RGB inputmay be converted to the non-RGB format used by the output device, asindicated in block 20. Thereafter, the two video input streams, in anon-RGB format, are mixed and provided in the appropriate non-RGB formatto the receiver 16.

Thus, with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, only onecolor space conversion may be used instead of the two conversions usedin embodiment of FIG. 1. This may be accomplished, for example, byprogrammably controlling an input port of the graphics controller 18 inaccordance with the nature of the intended output device. Thus, in thecase where the output device is in a non-RGB format, an RGB input signalis converted to the non-RGB format rather than vice versa.

In normal mode, the graphics controller 18 may default to the RGB colorspace, in one embodiment of the invention. When a non-RGB output isdesired, for example for a television receiver 16, the default settingmay be overridden, in one embodiment of the invention.

Turning now to FIG. 3, software 21, in one embodiment of the invention,for controlling a programmable graphics controller 18 may initiallydetermine, at diamond 22, whether the output device, such as the device16, is a non-RGB format output device. If not, the default setting (RGB)is utilized by the graphics controller and no further operations areneeded.

Where a non-RGB output device is detected, for example based on usersettings, the graphics controller 18 may be set to the non-RGB mode, asindicated in block 24. This non-RGB mode setting may indicate to thegraphics controller 18 that appropriate non-RGB signals are mixed in thenon-RGB mode rather than being converted into the RGB format. This, ineffect, may override the default setting on the graphics controller 18which would otherwise provide an RGB output.

Next, a check at diamond 26 determines whether a RGB input signal isbeing provided to the graphics controller 18. If so, this input may beconverted to a non-RGB output consistent with the intended output device16. This conversion may be done, in one embodiment of the invention, bya software operation which may involve simple multiplication andshifting.

Equations for converting between RGB color space and non-RBG colorspaces, such as those used in television broadcasting, are well known.For example, equations for making these conversions are set forth inMattison, Philip E., Practical Digital Video with Programming Examplesin C John Wiley & Sons (1994) at page 110.

A check at diamond 29 may determine whether the controller output signalis intended for an interfaced output device such as a televisionreceiver as indicated at diamond 29. If so, flicker filtering may beapplied to graphics, as indicated in block 30.

Next, video input signals, in the same color space format, may be mixedas indicated in block 31 and a non-RGB output may be provided asindicated in block 32. In some embodiments it may be desirable toprovide both non-RGB and RGB output signals.

Referring next to FIG. 4, one embodiment of the invention may utilizeselective flicker filtering at a graphics controller 34 coupled to aframe buffer which provides a display to a video display device. Thegraphics controller 34 may output either RGB or YCbCr, in theillustrated embodiment. If the display is a television display, flickerfiltering may be provided as indicated in block 36 in response to acontrol signal 46 as described previously.

The graphics controller then drives a frame buffer or video memory.Similarly a video capture device 40 may provide video in either RGB orYCbCr formats, in the illustrated embodiment. Flicker filtering may beprovided as indicated at block 36 if a television receiver is theintended output device. Again, the application of flicker filtering maybe controlled by a control signal 48. In one embodiment, the flickerfiltering control may be provided by software.

Captured video information may then be provided to a second frame buffer42, which in the illustrated embodiment, is an overlay buffer. A mixingfunction may occur at 44 and an output signal may be provided to theappropriate video output device which in some embodiments may be adigital to analog converter, an NTSC encoder, or an LCD encoder, asexamples.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in one embodiment of the invention, thegraphics controller may be a part of a system including a processor 82.In one embodiment of the invention, the system may be a so-calledset-top computer system. A set-top computer system may operate eitherwith a conventional computer system monitor or with a televisionreceiver operating as a display for displaying, for example, bothcomputer graphics and television information.

The system 80 may include a processor 82 coupled to a host bus 84. Thehost bus 84 in turn may be coupled to a host bridge 86 which may becoupled to main memory 88 and an accelerated graphics port (AGP) 92.(See the Accelerated Graphics Port Interface Specification, Revision1.0, Jul. 31, 1996, by Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif.) The port92 in turn may be coupled to a graphics device 94 which may include agraphics controller 34 for example. The graphics device 94 may receivecaptured video as illustrated and may be coupled to a conventionalcomputer monitor 96. The device 94 may also be coupled through anencoder 100 to a television monitor 98. The graphics device 94 may becoupled to a graphics local memory 104 and a video basic input/outputsystem (BIOS) 102 in one embodiment of the invention.

The host bridge 86 may also couple a bus 106 which may receive aplurality of cards in slots 108. The bus 106 may be coupled to abus-to-bus bridge 110 which may be coupled to a variety of storagedevices including a floppy disk drive 112, a compact disk drive 113 or apair of Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports 114 and 116. (See the UniversalSerial Bus Specification, Revision 1.0, Jan. 15, 1996.) The bridge 110may also link to the main memory 88 through a system management (SM) bus90.

The bridge 110 may also be coupled to another bus 118 which includesslots 120. The bus 118 may couple a system BIOS 122 and a hard diskdrive 124 which may include the software 21 described previously.

The detection of the nature of the output device or the color space ofan input signal may be done, for example, by checking configurationinformation that he stored in a Windows® registry or a database. Thisinformation may be accessed by an operating system. Based on a device'sconfiguration ID its color space requirements can be determined.Otherwise, a user query, for example through a graphical user interface,may be used to identify the color space used by a coupled device.

Among the advantages of certain embodiments of the invention,unnecessary color space conversions can be avoided, higher quality videomay be displayed, and more efficient operation of the graphicscontroller may be achieved. This may be beneficial, for example, inaccordance with systems, such as set-top computer systems, which mayselectively operate either with a television receiver or a monitor as adisplay.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a limitednumber of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate numerousmodifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appendedclaims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. An apparatus comprising: a video input port; and a device thatprogrammably configures said port to accept one of at least two videoformats.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said video formatsis the RGB color space and the other video format is a video format usedin connection with television receivers.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1including a device that selectively provides flicker filtering.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3 including a detector that determines whether anoutput device coupled to the apparatus is a television receiver andbased on the detection of a television receiver, selectively providesflicker filtering.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said videoformats is RGB and the other is YCbCr.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said device determines whether an output device coupled to saidapparatus is a non-RGB output device.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6wherein said apparatus uses the RGB color space as a default.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7 wherein said device is programmably configured in anon-RGB mode when the apparatus is coupled to a non-RGB output device.9. The apparatus of claim 1 using only one color space conversion. 10.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a non-RGB output is provided from saidapparatus.
 11. A method of controlling a video stream comprising:receiving a video stream; and programmably configuring a video port toaccept video streams in one of at least two video formats.
 12. Themethod of claim 11 further including detecting a characteristic andbased on said characteristic setting the video format to one of at leasttwo formats.
 13. The method of claim 11 further including programmablysetting whether to apply flicker filtering.
 14. The method of claim 11further including detecting the format of a video display device. 15.The method of claim 14 including setting the video format of a streambased on the format of said video display device.
 16. The method ofclaim 14 including selecting between RBG and non-RBG video formats. 17.An article comprising a medium for storing instruction that cause acomputer to: receive a video stream; and programmably configure a videoport to accept a video stream in one of at least two video formats. 18.The article of claim 17 further including instructions that cause acomputer to detect a characteristic and based on said characteristic setthe video format to one of at least two formats.
 19. The article ofclaim 17 further including instructions that cause a computer toprogrammably set whether the, video stream receives flicker filtering.20. The article of claim 17 further including instructions that cause acomputer to detect the format of a video display device.